Tottenham have ‘trump card’ in Stefan de Vrij signing race after source’s update – pundit
Tottenham will win the race for Stefan de Vrij this January thanks to Antonio Conte.
That’s according to former Hibernian striker Tam McManus, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about Spurs’ January plans.
On 10 December, sources told Football Insider that Tottenham have emerged as the frontrunners to sign De Vrij with a January deal possible.
Atletico Madrid are also interested with the two teams now leading the race to land De Vrij, who turns 31 in February and is increasingly likely to leave the Italian giants next year with his contract due to expire at the end of the season.
McManus insists De Vrij’s potential arrival at Spurs would help to fix their defensive issues.
“Tottenham have been conceding a lot of goals this season,” McManus told Football Insider‘s Ben Wild.
“They have conceded more goals than Everton and West Ham as well as far more than all of the teams around them.
“If they really want to kick on in the second half of the season then they need to stop conceding goals. Clean sheets will get them into the Champions League.
“You bring in a guy like De Vrij, who knows Conte so well, that could help to focus minds. He’s a veteran who can pass on knowledge to those younger or less experienced players.
“Conte could be the trump cardin that one if there are a lot of clubs interested. They won the league together so you have to assume they have a great relationship.
“I think this is one of the more likely deals to happen in January.
“I would be very surprised if Tottenham didn’t sign a defender, put it that way.”
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